From where I stand…

Tag Archives: Bloodroot

“The places of quiet are going away, the churches, the woods, the libraries. And it is only in silence we can hear the voice inside of us which gives us true peace.” ― James Rozoff

There is peace in the forest, a peace that I dearly need in this busy world. In the forest, I can participate in the natural cycles, I can anticipate the next species of wildflower to bloom, or to come to leaf.

Bloodroots, have become a spring rite to me. Since I discovered them a few years ago, it’s been a regular visit to my favorite groves, close to home, to simply enjoy them as they emerge from their leafy cloaks.

There is such a purity to them and they seem so delicate and so fleeting and they are among the first early spring blossoms to appear.

The more I see them the more I am able to create more natural looking images, rather than the typical straight on shots. Many grow out in the open in small bunches, but I am really drawn to those clinging to the shadows of logs or hillsides. Here, they grow next to a fallen tree, among the tangle of vines. This composition feels more natural to me that those out in the open, as it includes elements of the forest they flourish in and I chose to preserve this particular memory of this spring’s cycle.

“A picture held us captive. And we could not get outside it, for it lay in our language and language seemed to repeat it to us inexorably.” ― Ludwig Wittgenstein

I was hoping to get a few more images before the bloodroot stopped blooming and was happy to see I had not missed my chance. I took my portable studio with me in hopes of being able to find a few specimens that lent themselves to this technique. A small grouping, just off the hiking trail presented just such an opportunity and I set about making a few images.

The image above appealed to me the most, as it shows the freshly emerged plant, with the flower about to open, a very similar scene to my earlier post. However, the black background does its job in really isolating teh plant and forcing us to observe the details. It’s still my favourite method of photographing plants and works fairly well outdoors, if teh light is not too intense and the air is calm.

“Each beginning is the end of a waiting. We are each given exactly one chance to be. Each of us is both impossible and inevitable. Every replete tree was first a seed that waited.” ― Hope Jahren

This photo is now a few days old, but I wanted to go back to it to show the wonderful structure of the bloodroot, a native early bloomer her in southern Ontario. I have a real fascination with this particular plant especially because it is so unusual, as are many of the early plants, but Bloodroot holds a special place for me.

The plant itself, emerges for the ground as a small knob, barely visible and within a few short hours, grows to about fifteen centimeters, unfurls its ‘cape’ and blooms. I refer to the leaves as its ‘cape’ since they are tightly bound around the stem and open up like a cape or cloak, revealing the flower bud inside. It also opens quickly as the plant continues to emerge from the ground.

I happened to catch this one just before the blossom opened and it too, unfurls. I would love to do a time-lapse of this process some day in the near future. As it stands now, they have almost all bloomed and I will have to wait till next year.

“In this delicate and unpredictable life, the future is unwritten. Do not take someone for granted today, for once tomorrow dawns upon the indigo night the only remaining trace will be tracks in the sand…” ― Virginia Alison

I really appreciate this wonderful, short-lived spring blossoms. The burst forth quickly in mid-April, bloom brightly for a few days and then are gone, a mere memory of the first warm days of spring.

Because of their brief beauty, I make a point of seeking them out every year, hoping to capture the spirit of this beautiful plant.

They are quite unique, as they emerge from the ground as small tube-like plants and then open up their green ‘capes’, revealing the delicate white flowers inside. It’s almost magical to me. I hoping to get back out again for a few more images before they fade, as the poem above, leaving only a faint trace of their existence.

“Come with me into the woods where spring isadvancing, as it does, no matter what,not being singular or particular, but oneof the forever gifts, and certainly visible.” ― Mary Oliver

The inevitable cycle of spring continues with its succession of flowering plants. First to bloom is the Coltsfoot, the next, which just started to bloom yesterday, predictably, about a week after the Coltsfoot, is the Bloodroot – Sanguinaria canadensis.

I love this early blooming spring flower, with its bright white blossoms, emerging from a green ‘shawl’ of leaves. They are interesting in how they bloom, with the blossom forming before the leaves have opened up, much like the Coltsfoot. Which has me wondering if this is some sort of protection in case of a late frost? In any case, I welcome these early harbingers of spring and look forward to the next blossoms, that of the Dog-Tooth Violet or Trout Lily, soon to follow.

Here’s the post that was supposed to happen on Friday, but I was in the Bancroft “no service” zone most of the day and forgot to update this.

Another harbinger of spring in our area is Bloodroot. The beautiful white blossom emerges from a “shroud” created by its large green leaves. This particular specimen was found along the shores of Duffins Creek, near Whitevale, Ontario. It’s amazing just how fast it springs to life from the grey forest floor. One day there is nothing and the next, a blooming flower is up and ready to be enjoyed.